About This Book
First published in 1918, "Sign Talk" is a detailed guide to the sign language employed by various tribes of Native Americans for communication, written and illustrated with over 700 drawings by Ernest Thompson Seton. Sign language constituted a common language between many groups of Native Americans, and it was used whenever they were unable to understand each other's speech. Drawn from the author's extensive experience with users and teachers, this volume is the definitive guide to Native American sign language and constitutes a must-read for anyone with an interest in the subject. Contents include: "Its Antiquity", "Its Universality", "Among School Children", "Codes, Etc.", "Deaf Code", "The Indian Code", "A Comparison Of The Two Codes", "Attitude Toward The Sign Language", "Proper Names", etc. Ernest Thompson Seton (1860 – 1946) was an English-born Canadian author and wildlife artist who founded the Woodcraft Indians in 1902. He was also among the founding members of the Boy Scouts of America, established in 1910. He wrote profusely on this subject, the most notable of his scouting literature including "The Birch Bark Roll" and the "Boy Scout Handbook". Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.
